A developer has lodged an appeal after a decision by Kennet councillors to turn down a plan for 12 flats in Marlborough against the advice of their own planning officers.

David Sacov, of Malmesbury-based Standard Housing, had given notice of appeal even before Kennet's regulatory committee met last Thursday.

He wants to pull down the building known as Sempringham, in Salisbury, Road and replace it with 12 flats.

An earlier plan for a three-storey building with 15 flats at Sempringham caused controversy in the Salisbury Road and George Lane area when it was submitted two years ago.

Following the district council's refusal for the first scheme, Standard Housing returned in April this year with modified plans, reducing the height of the building to two-and-a-half storeys and cutting the number of flats to 12.

But, against planning officers' recommendations, Kennet refused permission for the revised plans. Standard Housing lodged notice of appeal but decided to give the Kennet members a second opportunity to consider the plans, resubmitting them with a minor change to the access road.

The council's regulatory committee was told on Thursday there had been 18 letters of objection.

Wiltshire County Council highways department had no objection, but Marlborough Town Council said the access would be on to a dangerous junction close to an existing double mini roundabout.

The town council also argued it would involve unnecessary demolition of one of the few Georgian houses in central Marlborough.

Town councillors also feared the new building would reduce privacy for neighbours.

Mr Sacov said there was no evidence of any Georgian building on the site and that Sempringham was a Victorian property that had been much altered over the years.

He said the height of the proposed building was lower than that of Sempringham.

Standard Housing says its scheme accords with the current national Government guidance to maximise the efficient use of land.

It says there are a number of precedents in the area for larger buildings, including the police station, Purcell Court and the Catholic church.

"We do not believe the new building will be out of keeping with its surroundings given the eclectic nature of the area," the company's submission stated.

It added: "The current proposal is 1.4 metres lower in height that the first application and is over a foot lower than the existing house."

Coun Nick Fogg told the committee that the strength of feeling against the redevelopment was demonstrated by the large number attending Thursday's meeting.

He said: "It's in the historic area of Marlborough and many of the properties are from before the Great Fire of Marlborough that destroyed much of the centre of the town in 1653."

Commenting on Standard Housing's plans, Coun Fogg said: "It would be redolent of the worst applications of the '60s if this application were to go ahead."

Coun Bill Cavill, the Mayor of Marlborough, said vehicles entering and leaving the narrow access on Salisbury Road would only exacerbate the existing traffic gridlock experienced twice a day at rush hour.

The committee voted unanimously to override the planning officers' recommendation and refuse the application.

Chairman Coun John Booth said that as the committee had voted against the recommendation of its officers, it would have to elect one of its own members to represent it at any subsequent appeal.

Members elected Coun Cavill to represent the committee at appeal.

nkerton@newswilts.co.uk